The hallowed halls of academia may have filled with a dizzying array of counter-culture fashion since the 1960s, but like its fellow fashion statement the corduroy jacket, the academic beard continues to hold fast to the faces of many an academic.

Considering he talks about the marvels of the universe, Academic Beards has occasionally wondered why Professor Brian Cox sounds a little dull. Last night during his appearance on BBC2's QI came our lightbulb moment - the professor has no beard. No beard, no mumbling, no modulation of tone based on variation in beard/soup ratio. Cox, where's your beard?